Kenyans sweep seventh Stanchart Nairobi marathon

Submitted by editor on 27 October 2009 - 9:06pm
The start of the 2008 Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon

Kenyans Moses Kigen and Irene Jerotich, who also triumphed here in 2006, both set new course records for this year's Standard Chartered Nairobi International marathon to take home the grand prize of 1.75 million Kenyan Shillings each.

Kigen's time was 2:10:12 beating Samson Tuiyange's record of 2:10.30 while Jerotich set a new course record of 2:28:57. 

The father of two won January's Rock n Roll Marathon in 2:10:36,his previous career high but was in imperious shape in Sunday's race, shaving off the previous route best of 2:10:30 set by last year's winner Samson Kikwei Tuiyange by 18 seconds.

"I was in good form and came for the record and my personal best. At the end of the day, I made it. I had prepared fully for the Frankfurt Marathon but when plans to take me there failed, I decided to enter here," said Kigen who took home 20,000 USD as award and further 3,333 USD for breaking the course record.

The seventh winner of the men's race sprung out of a pack of 20 runners who were taken through the 10km mark by early pacesetter Kibiwott Kwambai in 27:51.

Kigen made his first move two kilometers later before pulling away from his challengers systematically after opening a gap of 100 meters and increased that to 250 meters for his unchallenged position in the last six kilometers.

"At the beginning, the race was tough since there were too many of us together but after 30km, I felt confident enough to push ahead and push further after 35km," Kigen said.

Jerotich repeat

In the women's race, Jerotich became the first second-time winner in the history of Nairobi Stanchart with a course record of 2:28:47. She also became the first champion to reclaim the title in the seven-year history of the race.

Jerotich who edged clear of all others after 30km erasing the previous route best by four minutes and 56 seconds set last year by Emma Muthoni.

"I was feeling strong today and wanted to run my personal best. The race was good and there is no much difference between this year's race and the one in 2006, both were equally tough," Jerotich said.